Demon Sword

Chapter 3

Vermain seemed to be in no mood to surrender. The bandits were also done waiting. The bandit in the lead raised his axe and charged at Jan.

‘Fuck it. I’d be dead anyways!’

Jan squeezed his eyes shut then reopened them. He swung his sword at the approaching bandit. The blade flashed and sliced through the bandit’s shoulder. The bandit’s arm fell limply to the ground, like it was a prop.

Jan was surprised, and so was the bandit.

SLASH!

Blood poured out of the cut. The bandit clutched at the wound and began rolling on the ground.

“Aah! My arm! Fuck! Aah! Aah! Aah! Aah! Fuck! Fuck! Fuck! You motherfucker!”

Jan glanced at his sword, then at Vermain. Vermain was grinning.

“Sir, what kind of legendary sword is this? It cuts through bone like butter.”

“It is a good sword, but focus on the fight. It’s dangerous to look away while fighting.”

The remaining bandits surrounded Jan and attacked him all at once.

Jan dropped to the ground and flailed about, not knowing what to do. He managed to dodge the spears and clubs, and even as he rolled on the ground, he swung his sword and slashed at the bandits’ legs.

“Ack, you rat!”

The bandits cursed as they grabbed at their tattered ankles. Jan took advantage of their hesitation.

‘Thrust!’

Jan grabbed the sword with both hands and thrust it afar. The blade pierced a bandit’s throat and exited on the other side.

“Hi-yah!”

Jan pushed the bandit’s torso with his foot and pulled the sword out. The blood-stained blade was glowing eerily.

“O-our comrade… you, you bastard!!”

The enraged bandit shouted and extended his spear. Jan tilted his head and swung his sword, dodging the spear at the same time. Both of the bandit’s hands were sliced off.

Three of the four were down in an instant. The lone bandit looked at his fallen comrades and turned away. He began sprinting for his life.

“Ah, He’s running.”

Jan wiped the blood from his face and stared at the bandit’s back.

Psk!

An arrow suddenly flew from Jan’s side and struck the bandit in the back. The bandit fell forward, twitching and scratching at the ground.

“Jan, make sure you finish things.”

Vermain said, holding the crossbow. It was a small crossbow that could be wielded with one hand. He sheathed it and pulled out a dagger.

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Vermain approached the still breathing bandits and finished them off one by one.

“P-please… Have Mer-…”

There was no mercy in Vermain’s actions. Four bodies soon laid on the ground.

“I don’t know why they’d do things like bandits when they’re even weaker than me.”

Jan scowled and dragged the bodies of the bandits into a pile. Side by side, they looked like brothers. Feeling a bit sorry for them, Jan moved their arms to make them hold each other’s shoulders.

“I don’t know where you lot are going, heaven or hell, but I hope they all get along there…”

Jan clasped his hands together and wished them the best. Vermain walked over and patted Jan on the shoulder.

“You fought well, lad. You seem to have talent.”

Jan shook his head desperately. He had heard the rumors that being dragged to the Far Western Front as a soldier was a death sentence.

“What? Sir, you can praise me all you want, but I know myself that I’m just a worthless servant. You’re taking me along just to use for labor right? Not as a soldier.”

Vermain put a hand on Jan’s shoulder and chuckled.

“We need more people like you in the Eighth Legion.”

“I’m confident in everything but combat.”

It had been about a fortnight since Jan had left his hometown.

As he journeyed, he began to see more and more travelers. More people on the road meant they were approaching a city.

“Sir, I think we’ll be there soon.”

Jan said, carrying his bag of luggage. Vermain brushed his hair back as the wind blew along the plains. He kept his eyes closed until the wind died down, then nodded.

Jan waited for Vermain to finish styling himself, then walked after him.

‘The ointment sir gave me works wonders.’

Jan rubbed his face. The swelling on his face had gone down, leaving only a faint scar.

“I’ll have to buy a longsword for you when we enter the city.”

Vermain said, scratching his short beard. Jan narrowed his eyes and waved his hands.

“You mean a sword for fighting? Oh, never mind me. What would I do with such an expensive weapon? It’s like killing a mouse with a cleaver.”

“No, no, no, you should carry a sword for self-defense, so people don’t look down on you. Think of it as a gift. From me.”

The word “gift” struck Jan emotionally. He felt tears forming in his eyes.

“Sir… You are a good man. I will gladly accept your gift. It’d be rude of me to refuse.”

Jan and Vermain arrived in the city before nightfall. Armed guards stood at the gates.

The line grew short, and soon it was Jan and Vermain’s turn. The guard yawned and began speaking.

“We’ll be checking you two.”

Without another word, Vermain pulled out a silver emblem. The guard’s eyes widened, and he gestured urgently to summon his superior.

‘Sir is a noble, no wonder they are surprised.’

Jan grinned. He didn’t know exactly what Vermain’s status was, but he was certain he was a high ranked nobleman. It wasn’t long before a chubby man rushed towards them, introducing himself as the captain of the guard.

Vermain made his request.

“I wish to see the lord of the city.”

“Could you wait a moment at the guardhouse?”

“Of course. I don’t wish to interrupt your work, so take your time.”

Vermain’s tone was calm, even dignified. The captain of the guard prepared some chairs inside the guardhouse so that Jan and Vermain could rest.

“Sir, what business do you have with the lord of the city? Are you acquainted with him?”

“We’ve crossed paths a few times before. We’re quite close, Count Lant and I. He’s a good man. He’s also famous for being handsome, but there have been ominous rumors about him for several years now.”

“What do you mean by ominous rumors?”

“They say he doesn’t age. In fact, they say his wrinkles are fading.”

“Maybe he’s just taking good care of his skin? They say snail oil is so great for the skin. I once ran around all night because my master’s wife made me catch snails for oil.”

“That would make me feel better. I really do hope Count Lant isn’t using magic.”

“M-magic?”

Jan said with fear. The word ominous to hear.

“In any case, if Count Lant is a mage, he must be punished.”

“B-but sir, isn’t this Count Lant’s city? If Count Lant is indeed a wizard, wouldn’t we be the ones to be punished?”

“Haha, don’t worry too much. Even if Count Lant is indeed a mage, he wouldn’t kill me.”

“You’re a noble sir, so obviously, but what about me?”

“……….Hmm, I hadn’t thought of that.”

“Sir!”

Before Jan could argue more, the door to the guardhouse opened. The captain of the guard bowed his head slightly to Vermain.

“My lord summons you.”

Vermain stood up. Jan fidgeted, biting his lower lip.

Jan and Vermain followed the captain of the guard through the city’s boulevards. The streets were crowded but the crowds recognized the captain and moved out of the way.

“I want to go to the weapons shop or the blacksmith before we greet the lord.”

Vermain said. Jan recalled Vermain’s offer of a sword.

“Ah, there’s a good shop nearby. I don’t know what you’re looking for, but I’m sure they have something that’d fit your needs.”

The captain of the guard turned onto a more busy street. The streets were bustling with businesses. A first timer would have gotten lost, but Jan and Vermain were able to find the weapon shop thanks to the captain.

There was a sigh with crossed swords and a shield.

“This is it. I’ll be waiting for you, so please take your time.”

The captain of the guard said, standing in front of the armory. Vermain nodded and led Jan into the shop.

Creak.

It smelled of metal and oil. Armor and weapons hung neatly on the walls.

“Come on in!”

The shopkeeper, who was cleaning the counter, rushed toward Vermain.

“I want to see your swords. Oh, and get me some oil to clean the weapon too.”

“You’re in the right place. I’ve just purchased a number of fine swords yesterday, fresh from the forge.”

The shopkeeper pointed to the wall. Swords of varying lengths and widths hung on the wall in a row.

“Jan, do you see any of these that you like?”

Vermain gestured to Jan as he carefully examined the blades. Jan smiled awkwardly.

“Just the cheapest one will do. I’m going to wear it as a decoration anyway, so the quality doesn’t matter to me. But if you insist on me picking one…”

Jan glanced around and picked up the shittiest looking sword. The blade had a wavy patterned surface that made it look like a defective product. At first glance, it even looked rusty.

“Haha, you sounded timid, but a bold choice! Alright, I’ll buy you this. Shopkeeper, please tell me how much.”

Vermain laughed heartily. Jan looked back and forth between Vermain and the shopkeeper, realizing something was wrong.

‘Is this not the cheapest sword?’

The owner’s face was lit up. He was almost jumping with joy, and offered to give them the oil for free.

Tssss.

Vermain opened his money pouch and gold coins rained down on the table.

“Sir, sir! I don’t… Sir, I didn’t, I, I!”

Jan’s legs trembled as he watched the money being exchanged. Vermain put his finger to his lips and grinned.

“I let you choose the sword. And you chose it yourself. A man must honor his word.”

Vermain paid the large sum without batting an eye. The shopkeeper smiled and explained the sword.

“The sword you have chosen is a masterpiece, called a cold steel sword.”

“Not a rusty, cheap sword?”

“A nice joke. Where in the world can you find such nicely patterned rust? It can only be forged from the precious cold steel that only comes from snowy mountains up north.”

Jan listened to the explanation, eyes widening. His hands and feet were shaking.

Disregarding Jan’s reaction, Vermain slipped the sword into Jan’s belt. The pressure was too much for Jan to bear, and a droplet of cold sweat trickled down his chin.

“The sword fits you well.”

“I-I will do anything you ask, sir! I’ll do anything you order, even if you tell me to bring back the stars in the sky!”

The words came out of his mouth unbidden.

“Well, you don’t need to go that far…… Anyway, let’s get out of here, the captain is waiting for us.”